I screamed Darry and Soda's name for as long as I could see them. When we turned the corner, I saw Soda and Darry, both crumpled on the ground and crying. And that was the last I saw of the two most important people in the world to me.

I cried and whimpered in the back seat of Mrs. McCool's car. I didn't want to be here. I wanted to be home with my brothers. I didn't care that Darry hit me. Sure it hurt that my brother would hit me, but I loved him, and I knew he loved me. He just gets mad and stressed a lot.

Mrs. McCool stared at the road. I thought about jumping out, but when we were still at our house, I tried opening the door, but it didn't work. She'd probably punish me if I tried to jump out.

She turned and looked at me when we got to a stop light.

"Pony, you're going to love the boys' home. We have a pool and a basketball court, and we even have a large television set. Doesn't that sound fun?"

"No," I spit out. "The only thing that sounds fun right now is me going home. I don't want to go to some boys' home. I want to go to my home! Darry's a good guardian. He doesn't mean to hit me. He just gets mad sometimes. Please, Mrs. McCool, let me go home."

"Ponyboy, I understand that you're upset. It's usually hard for boys to adjust when they're taken from their home. But you'll come to love the boys' home."

"I'll never like it. I hate it already. I just want to go home. Please, I want my brothers!" I yelled, still crying.

"No." Mrs. McCool said, and that was all.

I cried the whole way down, but when we got there, I stopped. Greasers don't cry in public.

Mrs. McCool introduced me to some people, but I wasn't listening. She brought me to a room, with a small bed, and a bathroom. This was to be my room.

"Okay, Pony. Just so you know, you won't be required to do any work until the first two weeks are up. Then, you will be assigned certain tasks. We have our own school, and it only lasts from 9:00-2:15. So, that will be nice for you."

"When can I see my brothers?"

"Well, we don't know yet. We'll just have to see."

"Can I call them?"

"Well, you're not usually allowed to call anyone except for every two weeks. Then, maybe you can. Oh, and Friday is mail-day, so if you get a letter, it'll be then that you get it. Any questions?"

"When can I go home?"

"You won't be going home, Pony. I'll see you in a few days." And with that, she left me alone, and I cried into the dirty pillow on my new bed.